So I submitted a script to Amazon Studios for the first time in a while and it was nice to see it not go to the "deciding" phase within hours, so I guess the logline and synopsis must have grabbed someone there. My guess is that if someone likes it 2 readers check out the script and I'd say if they like it then it goes to someone who can actually make a decision. I am under NO delusion and hold no hopes but it's nice to see it at least passed the gatekeeper. My last 2 didn't. Who knows, while I'm typing this someone could be clicking the dreaded "deciding" button.
I thought AS killing off the forums would be a bad thing but the AS forums were filled with such ridiculous negativity and trolls it's better they're gone. Maybe those sad souls who practically lived there got their lives back? These forums are actually moderated which is great.
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Other than The Wall, what other movies have Amazon produced from a script uploaded to their server?
, it seems like a lottery wish. Better off mailing hardcopies of your unsolicited script to Producers. Maybe someone will accidentally open your mailed package, read and like your script.
Awesome! Good luck to you and keep us posted!!
Dan MaxXx yeah it's a lottery alright. Gotta be in it to win it and who knows? It'd be hilarious if I somehow was lucky enough to be optioned because it'd start an avalanche of submissions again. They're not getting the masses of submissions they used to.
Lasta Drachkovitch thanks for that. Will do.
That Script Book system got shut down pretty damn fast by the Black List. Franklin Leonard back peddled fast and so he should have. $100 a pop to run your script through a program was disgusting. It's just another money making scam by someone who is trying to make money. If it was legit you could say goodbye to a ton of jobs in the industry, so good luck getting that to be widely accepted.
I know you were burned pretty bad by AS there CJ and seriously, I am far from expecting a win or anything like that but IF they were data mining, surely they would have come across something by now that would have shown up as a winner through the stupid amount of scripts they've had submitted? They're not receiving the avalanche of submissions they used to either. I think they have their guidelines for what they want, check out loglines and synopses and readers take it from there if it's what they want. I had two scripts rejected within hours last year. They hit the queue, went to evaluating and within like 5 hours were on deciding and then 48 hours later to nearly the minute, declined email came through. This is the first one that's lasted even for a few days and now has 3 downloads so I think someone is reading it. People are involved on their end I'm sure but who knows? It's like Willy Wonka's in there, no-one knows unless they've been inside.
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The thing about AS that scares me is the exclusivity they get when you upload anything. Also, anybody can modify/rewrite your work and AS can cut you completely out of the deal, calling it a "new work." Of course, these assumptions are based on my detailed reading of their Terms and Conditions from a couple of years ago - so that might have changed.
If they haven't - watch out!
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I've submitted twice to Amazon......it's a gamble. Happy Writers Pitch Sessions I'm hoping will be much more satisfying. I'm involved in two now. At least here, you'll get a review of your story pitch to improve. As in Amazon, I'm guessing..... You could pay extra for a review from their experts, but, who are the experts?? I'm looking forward to feedback on these I'm going to submit.
I've heard a lot of horror stories. Some of the major ones from a blog post that I've heard elsewhere;
*. Amazon Studios may delete entire accounts for debatable infractions without any warning.
*. Amazon Studios may allow anybody to sign up and quickly get another writer’s account deleted out of malice.
*. Amazon Studios does not appear to offer any form of dialogue or chance to form a rebuttal on the part of those reported.
https://medium.com/@cjwalley/amazon-studios-a-warning-to-all-screenwrite...
If you invest a lot of intellectual capital, have a lot of contacts, and build up a social media presence there, AS can wipe it out in an instant.
Watch out.
If you submit privately no-one can see your work but the staff at AS. If AS were into stealing scripts I'm sure it'd be widespread news by now.
The real dangers out there are like a British production company who I just pitched to who suddenly want £5k to £10k to develop my script, if they like it, to pitch to investors. I found them originally on VPF and I'd say that's why they're not on there anymore.
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Amazon film & Tv division is in santa Monica. Go directly to the office if you're paranoid about online submissions. Instead of conspiracy theories, could it be that the majority of submissions suck? Amazon works with Agencies and filmmakers with track records. They are a studio like Disney or Sony. Can't just roll up to their door and expect a deal.
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MaXxy: This Amazon Studios topic comes up 2 or 3 times a year. Like with any other studio, producer, agent etc, it's very hard to sell a spec script. The last time I looked, Amazon has purchased one spec script that I know of since they started their open submission policy. This project was The Wall written by Dwain Worrell. Prior to that Dwain had written one low budget Chinese horror film and has since gone on to work on Marvel's Iron Fist TV show. Amazon Studios was one of five producers listed on The Wall.
There's so many established writers vying for spots with Amazon, Hulu and Netflix, I think a less established writer would do better to approach Amazon via an established producer, director or agent or get a gig working as a writer with someone with connections. Either way, it's a long way to the top if you want to rock and roll.
Danmaxxx is right that the vast majority of submissions suck. Mine may suck too. Personally the less people that submit the better because it gives them more breathing space to look at the ones they receive. Phil is right as well, the chance is slim at best but I'll take a razor thin chance over zero.
Matthew, does Amazon Studios still give you absolutely no clue as to what they're looking for?
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Eric - Did you just use the phrase "absolutely no clue" in reference to Amazon Studios?
They just have the categories for submission as usual.
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So after about 4 and half days the submission has had 3 downloads from AS and has gone into the deciding phase. Well, at least it wasn't within hours this time. It's just nice to know they read the logline and synopsis and it didn't just get an automatic "nope".
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Congrats....that's some distance in the system there. They're usually quick to strike if they haven't the interest. Good job!
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Amazon is tough. I had a Pilot on there for a month that I pulled down b/c nothing was happening.
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I have seen that Donald. If its not something that grabs them its straight to deciding. I have very little hope but we shall see.
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I would agree that they don't read the vast majority of scripts but when you look at the quality of some of the submissions, they certainly don't need to.
I've watched the public submissions over the last week and there are some, a lot, that would be given a thumbs down within seconds. The only reason I think mine got read was the 2 downloads, 1 straight up and 1 about a day later then followed by a third download another 2 days later. Once again, not expecting a win here but my script got their attention and that's some nice affirmation for me.
MaxXxy:
Every script is downloaded by the Amazon folks. I've done many a submission. It doesn't mean they read them. I suspect that have a set of procedures they follow for every submission. I assume their reviewers look at loglines and possibly the synopsis actually read a very small percentage of scripts. I don't submit to them anymore. From what I've heard, they've optioned damn few scripts from unproduced writers. I personally don't no anyone who has gotten play from Amazon Studios. Let me know if you find someone.
I agree with Uncle Phil that they look at a logline and synopsis and if that doesn't grab them or they're poorly written, straight up decline. If it sounds like something they're after and is written well, they'll take a look at the script. I never got 3 downloads on a private submission before so I'm guessing, key word there, that this script went a step further in the chain. I have zero idea how long a "deciding" phase is meant to last. If their readers like it they'll probably do up a report for someone who can make a decision, who maybe the 3rd downloader, and they'll have a look at it and make a call from there.
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Matthew:
I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. It would be nice to see someone from S32 bag an option from Amazon. I've been up the food chain at places like Paramount and Tyler Perry (where Ozzie Areu) personally read the script. Fortunately, I was represented by a producer who made the contacts and received feedback on why they passed on the scripts. Unfortunately, Amazon will only provide with you a generic pass without feedback if you don't go up whatever food chain they have. Either way, keep plugging away. Option deals are still being made. I'm finishing up a script for one this weekend. And if you do get a bite, shout it to the heavens!
Thanks Phil and good on you getting the read from Paramount and lucky you got feedback. I recently had a script that was in the hands of a director who had a lot of direct to dvd horror sequels under his belt but unfortunately he couldn't make my script match his vision. It didn't help that I handed over a couple of drafts and new criticisms/ideas/plot points popped up each time. It was a disappointment but at the end of the day I just move on to the next possible opportunity I suppose. I'll let you guys know how I go either way.
These are just my hunches - from being a computer consultant, and knowing about data.
I did talk with a AS rep some months ago on their "chat with us" button. Unless it was a chatbot, which is possible.Suspecting what I suspect of the money-dynamics of Amazon - Over half a trillion dollars - I suspect they are data mining.
*. They know what movies have historically earned how much.
*. They know every word of that same library of movies.
*. They can therefore calculate pretty much which keywords earn the most. Maybe hown to the penny if they do focus groups, or somehow know "favorite lines". This can be calculated by words compared to current events at release.
Ergo, they can afford to make the scientifically calculated guess for which submission would earn the most money based on topic, actor(s), plot, denoument, outcome, sub-plots, audience demographics - and be able to possibly predict some of these factors on submissions made.
Art is nowhere in the equation.
It's a little like modern-day baseball. Jast as with baseball it's all about wins against dollars spent, with AS I suspect it's all about dollars earned per words bought.
For instance - let's say they did an election-year inrigue feature... They could just as easily shoot simultaneous movies with both election outcomes and still come out ahead -- they have all the money in the world. How? Economies of scale. They are doing their own distribution, shooting, post production, advertising and planning. They are the new 500 ppound gorilla.
Where this model falls apart is prediction -- All it takes is a weird result in an election, a natural disaster, a scandal, the next "sharknado" or "Napoleon Dynamite" and the whole model gets blown to hell.
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There was something said by Laurie Ashbourne in a thread a couple of years back found here: https://www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting/Amazon-Studios-12
Her post is: Once again... AS takes all submissions, video or script and first puts them through a filtering process as to whether it fits the technical requirements in format, language etc. THEN it is given to reading/viewing consultants who judge it on many factors and write a summary as to why they gave it the score they did. If it is recommended, it goes to the creative development dept. at AS for the next level of consideration.
I think Kevin isn't 100% on the money but I'll agree that it's all about the business side of things. I used to write what I wanted to see on the screen and while I still try to do that I am focusing on single or very few location contained low-budget horror features. I'm attempting as best as I can to avoid tropes and to add fresh stories into the mix that haven't been done before. I think I've succeeded with two of my features so far and the one I'm working on now has a similar feel about it, for me anyway.
My script is still in deciding and if I had to take a guess I'd say it's at that creative development dept. stage that Laurie mentions above. Personally I'm not in the frame of mind where I'm hoping that they'll give me a chance but I do hope they see it as a great opportunity to create a good product that will offer them a great return on their investment.
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Reposted my Pilot on Amazon, fingers crossed!
I was told by Amazon by the way it could take 6 weeks for them to get back to you.
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Matthew:
You're doing it right. Get your work out there. You learn from your mistakes and move on.
Kevin: Very interesting and insightful post.
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Ha! I'm on day 11 and I think that's about a week in the deciding phase so far and I thought I'd check how long their process is for evaluation and deciding.....90 days. I'm writing another script right now and am already about 25 pages in so there's that but man, I hate the waiting game and will never get used to it.........unless I'm knee deep in a production which y'know, would be nice.
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I submitted my very first Mini-Bible for a children's program on AS just this week and it went to "Deciding" in 24 hours with 2 downloads; holding steady there for 24 hours now. I have zero illusions about nailing it the first time out, but why is the quick "Deciding" phase so dreaded? Does that signify a kind of silent, "next!" in the AS world? Meanwhile, really great thread here with really great insights!
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If it is straight to deciding the news won't be good based on past experience. You"ll most likely be "completed" with a rejection letter soon. I found out their timeframe at the moment is 180 days, not 90.
Thanks for the added info, Matthew! Yeah, I figure that quick evaluation periods are not typically signs of interest, but there's always that thread of hope one hangs onto while the jury is still out :) I hope they don't take the full 180 to break it to me!
Aaaaaand just got my rejection letter :)
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Happened to me 2 out of the last 3 times Shereen. Don't take it to heart. Review, write, re-write and keep on keeping on.
I've submitted several scripts, from when they first started, to about a year ago. I got "deciding" within hours, and other times after a couple of days - I got rejections within a day, and sometimes after 2 weeks. I don't think they read any scripts unless they are knocked out by the loglines or synopsis. I would suggest re-doing those before you re-write an entire script without knowing why it was rejected. Just my thoughts.
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I got rejected by Amazon studios, by an online filmmaking company, and by a management company. There was a website to send ideas to, all were rejected(a few years ago). Thinking back, I'm glad they rejected that screenplay(I only sent a synopsis, and a logline, not the actual script yet), because I had/have the opportunity to improve it or change it to sound better...:)
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When you submit to any of these kinds of places your screenplay is competing against thousands of other screenplays. Good luck because that would be like winning the lottery. Screenwriters do it because it is the easy way. If you pick up the phone and call an independent producer you are competing with a lot fewer screenplays. if you do what every other screenwriter does you'll probably lose because there is so much competition. If you do what almost every other screenwriter hates to do you won't be facing nearly as much competition. Some may disagree but that has been my experience.
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I don't live in the states Dan and in Australia unless you're already in the club you don't get to join the club. Places like AS and VPF and query letters are all I know and have a shot at.
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BTW I do agree with Dan on screenwriting competitions. They're pot luck at best and a vast waste of cash for 99% of people who enter them.
Hey Matthew, have you tried cold-calling on the phone to American prod companies and Reps? Worked okay for me, a few "YES, send material." They never asked where I live. Good Luck!
Hey Dan MaXx, That's a pretty funny comment, "They never ask me, where I live" ? This reminds me of a young H.S. Basketball player, Whom wanted to play for the NY Knicks, he Cold calls James Dolan Office and got his voice mail, blah, blah, I'd like to Try out for your team, he then states I know you don't come out of the front entrance, you like to leave through 9th. Ave.in front of the Post office, We can meet there, I can show you some of My best moves - This H.S. Student thought that getting personal would be endearing to James Dolan... ( Curtis Mayfield ) "Ask him his dream, what does it mean ? * Nothing
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Hey All. I just recently joined and this is my first posting. I've been watching this thread for a few days and Matthew, my fingers are crossed for you. I'm also waiting on AS: I've been in "Evaluating" for 13 days so far. For my past two submissions, I heard in 2-3 days. I only have 1 download (not 3 like you) and like you, I'm working on my next project. But, dang it, the waiting is hard. Looking forward to hearing, hopefully, good news from you.
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Henry. I think Dan M gave some great advise.
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I haven't tried that Dan MaxXx . To be honest I just thought the second they hear my Australian accent they wouldn't be interested. I'm assuming and the old saying goes, if you assume you make an ass out of u and me.
Sigal Holdeman thanks for the fingers crossed, I'll cross mine for you to. I'm on day 17 now and no change of course. It'd be a reaaaaaaally nice Christmas present, that's for sure. You have to keep writing as well. I'm working on my next horror feature at the moment. It's taken me a while to work out the story but I think I've finally cracked this one.
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Just to put more info out there about Amazon --
Amazon (as a company culture) HATES... and I mean HATES "speculative ventures".
They are laying off dozens of their Kindle engineering staff. They didn't even give them the chance to transfer over to the Amazon Echo team.
So... with that as a basis... how can we, as writers, attempt to pitch to a company that has such an intolerance to risk?
Amazon MAY become the premier distribution network, but they're going to have to get through HBO and Netflix. And they are, as a company, trying to take on many other very, very big markets (groceries, entertainment, retail, publishing and even rockets). They are competing on a dozen fronts with the likes of Walmart, Tesla, Google, Sony, and even Verizon.
In short, My humblest of opinions thinks the whole AS "project submission" upload seems like a Vegas crapshoot.
But hey -- I might just try it too. I think the key is to "reverse engineer" the process. Look at what it is they are producing and write to that -- rather than hoping they will produce our best work - which they probably won't.
Dan Guardino - I agree !
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Does Amazon still have that "open door / peer review" site thing? I don't think a single film came out of there. I thought everything now was known producers bringing them projects (ready to shoot) for financing, and buying completed films out of fests. They are just like any other studio these days.
And they no longer need any outside distrib for their films:
http://www.indiewire.com/2017/09/amazon-studios-wonder-wheel-self-distri...
Matthew Corry Sigal Holdeman Any decision? I am in a similar boat. 2 DLs / Evaluation Day 4.
Nothing. I think I'm on day 28 now and it's just stuck there. Like someone hit the pause button...
Uh no. I'm on day 31 I think and it's been in deciding since day 3 or 4. I got 3 downloads and even emailed them and they assured me it isn't stuck.
I'm still in evaluating...
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No news is good news. Pulling for both of you! I wonder if the search for new leadership has things in a holding pattern. Either way, mine is out at other places as well. That's the nice part about their new submission agreement.
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Thanks Chris. Yeah, I was wondering if the leadership shakeup is stalling things. But from what Matthew says and the fact that you already have 2 downloads in the last 4 days, it sounds like maybe things are still moving. Just feels s-l-o-w-e-r than usual.
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I'm leaving mine be. I'm writing another feature and developing a short I'm going to film myself.
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Good luck with all!
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Or it could be that AS just plain forgot about it. Or they're still in upheaval re. the sexual harassment claims.
I've had a private submission up there since the middle of July. It has 3 downloads and is still in the "deciding" stage. I had forgotten about it till I came across this thread. I'm sure they meant to send the "it does not meet the needs of our Development Slate at this time" email, but never got around to it.
Just don't worry about it and go on to the next thing.
What Dash said.
Matthew Corry Putting positive thoughts and energy out there for you.
Sorry I said crappy things about the company.
I did software consulting for them awhile back and it's prolly a totally different business model.
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I've had a pilot episode on the "evaluating" phase now for 140 days. I don't know whether this is a good thing or not! I submitted it with the attitude of "Submit. Forget. If anything good comes of it, so be it."
I've emailed them and they've assured me that they do have my script, and that it is indeed still in the evaluating stage. They also then wished me 'good luck'. But only one download. So it's very confusing.
I would probably advise people to take the same attitude as myself. Just submit and move on. Keep focussed on the future!
Hope this helps anyone. And if anything comes of it, be it positive or negative, I'll let you guys know!
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There seems to be a trend with a long evaluating phase for pilots. I've barely come across anyone else with a feature that actually lasted more than a few days before being declined. I think I'm on like day 30 of my deciding phasr so its no doubt a long way to go. I think with a series there would be a far longer commitment with a bigger budget over time vs a feature so I can understand how much time they take with them. Amazon is very Willy Wonka with their process so the only thing I can do is keep writing.
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#Jamie Unwin Same boat with my Pilot. It's where ideas go to die!!
Day 10 in evaluation on my feature and I just got another download (3).
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In the meantime, I just scored my second option agreement of 2017 via Inktip. So you may want to try them out for shopping your screenplays.
Congrats UP - BL is working on a couple evals for me right now. I'll check into Inktip as well.
Chris: Thank you. Happy New Year and good luck with everything. Keep me posted on what's happening.
Inktip is great. Haven't got an option yet, but more downloads there than anyplace else I'm on.
In Inktip; When you list a script, do you recommend purchasing upgrades (Newsletter / Magazine listings)?
Chris: I've gotten several option agreements via the Newsletter ads I've answered. Including one just last week.
UP: Congrats! I listed on InkTip yesterday and already have logline views. Thanks for the insight. Also, AS has moved my submission to the deciding phase on both my original and revision with 3 DLs on each.
I think I'll give InkTip a shot this year. Might as well, you have to be in it to win it. Day 48 now. So, halfway mark I suppose. It's just weird having it sit there for so long, waiting..............
Matthew Corry Is it a feature?
It sure is.
It's nice to read all your comments on this topic. I've had a series pilot on AS for 44 days now. It moved to evaluating very quickly and then seems to have become stuck on there. I was wondering if it is a good or bad thing. From what I read here, responses can be very rapid indeed so I take a little heart from that (but not much more as their record for optioning screenplays from AS seems pretty small). In terms of downloads, I made (the mistake of making...) it public so can't say how many of the 9 downloads so far were internal, though I've had two ratings so at least 2 were public downloads. However, I will let you know how it plays out eventually to help as a guide for anyone else who has submitted.
Thanks Mark and good luck to you Sir. Update: My most recent version of the feature I submitted to AS received a pass relatively quickly: 3 DLs / 4 days. The original submission is still in the evaluation stage / 3 DL / 18 Days. I moved on. The screenplay has been worked on extensively after getting feedback from a few pros. At this time, the version AS has is a shade of where we are now. Inktip is showing promise; logline is getting looks. Blacklist is doing some evaluations on the current version. We'll see how it lands.
I just inquired about a script that passed the 90-days mark and was told by AS that it now takes 180 days and that had changed a few months back Anyone hear that too?
It's odd, because last week I asked about a different script and was told it was still 90 days for consideration.
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Mark:
I'm not here to rain on anyone's parade. However, some of my most lengthy and detailed forum posts have been about Amazon Studios. I've have found very little evidence that AS is interested in signing unproduced, let alone optioned writers. With scores of produced writers vying for spots with Netflix, Amazon and Hulu, odds are the AS website where anyone can submit screenplay is little more than a nice public relations move.
As someone who has had four options, a half dozen write to shop agreements and a work for hire agreement, I've never had any luck with Amazon. And, in some cases, I've been in the deciding phase for weeks. It means nothing.
In 2012, entered a rewrite treatment in an Amazon Studios contest for an "optioned script" called Leon. I know some writer supposedly won the contest but the winning rewrite was never produced by Amazon Studios (see attached PDF file for original Amazon contest writing assignment).
My post is not sour grapes, it's reality. I encourage you to do your research and you'll discover very little evidence exists that Amazon has optioned many screenplays from newer writers since they began their platform about six years ago.
http://freepdfhosting.com/29cf80452f.pdf
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I may be mistaken, but I thought I just read somewhere that Amazon had sacked its entire story department. Anyone else see this?
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Sorry I don't have the link, but the article I was referring to was "Hollywood in 2018: The Old Order Ends, a New One Rises" by Sharon Waxman in The Wrap, 12/31/17. Perhaps she meant Amazon's studio head only, not the story dept?
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On Jenn's point about the 180 days, I got told the same thing, even though it says 90 on the website. Then I got told by an Amazon rep online that it definitely is 90 and the previous agent was wrong.
On Uncle Phil's point, yeah Amazon has certainly not had a great track record. I'm going to try Inktip myself soon.
Finally on Erik's, yes they did replace the head, so who knows what that will do. The only thing I know is that my script was definitely downloaded and assessed by up to 3 people. I don't understand a "deciding" phase of the 40+ days I've been in so far because, to be honest, when someone reads a script and they like it that much they would seriously consider producing it, they would probably contact the writer and discuss a possible option. If they don't like it, boom, trash.
The report the readers have done up are probably sitting in a long ass queue for someone with decision making powers to read. For all I know, it will hit their desk and 60 seconds into them placing eyes on it, boom, trash. If it's 180 days, whatever, I just keep writing and so should everyone else.
Thanks for your responses on this. In terms of expectations, it is the first screenplay I have ever written so I am not expecting much to come of the submission to Amazon. For myself, it was just interesting to read that some submissions are rejected immediately, showing that if I were wildly off in my first attempt then I could possibly have been rejected immediately. (I say possibly as it is a pilot script, the type of which seems to be rejected after a much longer period than movie screenplays going by the anecdotal evidence above.)
For myself, I primarily write novels, and initially was using the screenplay as a way to explore writing with greater immediacy, so it was a valuable process that I hope will improve my writing overall. It was only after writing it that I thought I would try and see what the process for submitting a screenplay was. In this it has been very useful to see the comments here about other sites that may prove to be more likely to result in options or scripts. I will definitely investigate the other sites mentioned above and let you know if these prove more useful.
Thank you again for your advice and comments.
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All: Thank you so much for the insights. Your inputs really motivated me to submit and forget with AS. In doing so, I decided to "pay to play" with Black List, which has yielded great return. My screenplay is now standing on top of the Trending Scripts list and #2 on the Based On A True Story list. In addition, the InkTip listing has resulted in 4 industry downloads and some coverage. Now its time to get back into the writing trenches to incorporate all of the valuable feedback. If you are interested, go check it out; THROUGH THE VALLEY. Cheers!
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Chris
Awesome news!
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Just read the public reviews Chris, it sounds awesome. Should be proud! Is it your first finished feature?
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Jamie - This is my first attempt at any non-academic writing. Started as a therapeutic activity; just to get the story out of my head.
Thank you CJ - I hold that praise in high regard. Cheers!
Quick update. Day 60. Still Deciding. It's weird as this is by far the longest a script of mine has been on there. I've pitched the script via VPF as well and got 1 hit so far out of 5 with 2 that still haven't responded.
Mine is nearing the 180th day and is still 'evaluating'. 10 days left until the judgement!
Puts my 57 days and still evaluating into context. Was yours a movie or pilot?
AS Status: My first submitted draft; 3o days / 3 DLs, still in deciding phase. The revisions I submitted moved through process to decline in less than 2 days with 3 DLs a piece.
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My feature submission is listed as DNR and my pilot submission is listed as DOA.
How do I submit to them? Thanks for any help.
Larry, sorry I don't have the link handy but if you go to Google an type in "Amazon Studios" you'll get the submissions guidelines. It might even be amazonstudios.com
Mark, mine is a pilot. I've got a feeling it'll be rejected on day 180!
Hi everyone. As I move rapidly to being within two weeks of the 90 day evaluating period with Amazon Studios, I thought I'd post a brief update. Further up there has been discussion as to how long the period is in which Amazon try to respond to script submissions. According to their website, 90 days is the current benchmark, but there are clearly others on here for whom the wait has been much longer. I contacted Amazon Studios to find out their official answer, which was:
"The exact timing of when a script is read or video is watched depends on the amount of material in our evaluation queue. We aim to carefully evaluate every script, video, and series idea submitted to Amazon Studios within about 90 days. Each submission is evaluated in the order it was received to ensure each project submission receives the attention it deserves."
Basically, it states that Amazon aim to turn them around in 90 days, but if they have a lot of scripts then it can take a lot longer (no actual timeline is given). As has been noted above, submitting to them is a long shot at the best of times and what this shows is if you submit, you need a fire and forget mentality. Fire the script off then ignore Amazon and focus on other more likely avenues. =0)
Jamie - has your project had a decision yet as by my reckoning you should have passed the 180 day mark now?
Sorry for the late reply! Yes it went over the 180 day mark and it got rejected. Lesson to be learned here: submit. Forget. Move on with something else.
I have to say I admire the confidence to submit and forget, that takes more confidence than you can imagine. I've written about 5 and as of yet have not submitted one.
Has anyone else got a feature up on there? My feature is going on 88 days "deciding" now and they told me via chat the scripts in deciding are being discussed and not just sitting in a queue.
Been on "deciding" for almost 7 months. I figure that their house has cluttered up due to their ongoing shake-up and indecisiveness. But I imagine spring-cleaning's coming soon and they'll start again with their "not for us" emails. No biggie.
I have been in the deciding stage for about 40 days with 4 downloads. Does anybody know if 4 downloads is a promising sign?
You got 1 more than me.
New to this :-) - I am 4 downloads 19 days into evaluation - fingers and toes crossed for everyone.
92 days. My guess.....another 90 days.
Matthew, since you are beyond the 90 day mark, have you messaged them or reached out to them in any way regarding the status of your project? If so, have they responded?
5 downloads on private 34 days - still on evaluating -happy to see its still moving forward :-)
They just respond with the same ol same ol about evaluations and time frames.
Just got the rejection email - enjoyed the process and 5 downloads :-) - I hope you guys who are still waiting to hear - the very best of luck and I am confident you are not forgotten - cheers beers Ste
I finally got some good news. After being in the evaluation stage for 11 weeks, they offered to buy my script and offered me a three-picture deal as well. And I get to pick the director and actors. "Name your price" is what the letter states. This is quite the surprise, and I'm a bit overwhelmed.
I'm just gonna....oh no.....this letter is addressed to Dan MaxXx! WTF? Oh, boy.....I probably better cancel the SL 550 I just ordered...and Brilliant Blue Metallic is soooo my favorite color.
Bill C:
Bwahahaha! I'm expecting the Easter Bunny to drop off my written agreement with Amazon Studios. They've signed me in Perpetuity. They want me to write for their new movie of the week streaming show. As long as they don't give a shit about good stories, I think I can keep up.
Phil: The reason this letter came to my house is because Dan has been staying here while running his Three-Card Monte seminar in the parking lot behind the Linq High Roller ferris wheel. And as you know, he is on his way to your house for a short break.
Hmmm….if you still have that 10-foot Martini glass…maybe you can fill it up and let Dan have his way with it? That way, he’ll probably forget who he is, and we can split this Amazon deal down the middle. And I’ll pose as Dan with Amazon. I know I can pull this off, because Dan and I have a lot of similarities:
Dan has worked with Eva Longoria on a film in New York City. I have worked with Eva Warshawski at a 7-11 in Poughkeepsie.
Dan loves Korean action films and can quote Voltaire. I love Korean barbecue and can quote a Stop Sign.
Dan has revolutionized the way to open carbon dioxide molecules. I have revolutionized the way to open a can of SpaghettiOs.
Dan can shape complex stories with profound character transformations. I can shape the letter E with matchsticks.
I think we can pull this off, Phil. Fill up that giant martini glass. 50-50 on Dan’s deal, bro, and Easy Street for the rest of our lives. Whaddya say?
Bill:
I can refuse you anything. After all, you have that compromising picture of me and the winner of the 1968 Miss Tijuana pageant. I had volthaire once after I accidentally stuck my finger in a light socket.
Phil: Excellent! In that case, I can't wait to give you your 10%! Heh-heh.
And to all of you Amazon submitters: don't give up. Keep submitting, gang. Keep submitting.
Bill C:
No, I think they should all give up. I have one in the cue as well and that will reduce the competition. It sounds like there's a lot of good scripts piling up the Zon. And I'll take 12 percent you huckster!
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Roger:
I've acquired 9 options and right to shop agreements via Inktip. I've had no success with listing scripts and you can watch my video on youtube if you want my opinions on the listing services including Inktip. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kznzbG3HXaM. As far as money, I don't discuss that with anyone but my wife.
Roger: Glad to help. Good luck!
I have a pilot up with AS going on nine months now. Like most on this thread, it went right into evaluating with a download on day one, a second on day two, and at the end of a week, four downloads (all while private) . After sitting for about three months, I chatted with a representative who assured me, it wasn't a glitch and encouraged me to go from private to public... I did that for about a month, got some crazy messages via my email listed, so it went back into private with 17 downloads... Since then, I have had another private download, which makes five total downloads that I can confirm were private. However, I don't know how many of the other downloads were AS vs public.
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9 months? Takes less time to shoot out a baby. It's like Willy Wonka's factory where no one but those inside know how it works.
Roger
I prefer the newsletter.
Roger Zipp:
For the Inktip Newsletter, you can answer ads much like this one:
"Seeking Collaborative Feature Comedy Writers (Preferred Lead 5038)
We are looking for collaborative comedy writers to bring onboard an existing feature project, described as "Cocoon" meets "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels." Please note, we are not looking for scripts to option, only comedy feature scripts to consider as samples from writers available for hire.
Budget is yet to be determined. WGA and non-WGA writers may submit.
To find out about this company AND submit to this lead"
So you first you would send this producer a logline and synopsis of the comedy script that you think represents your style and something similar to the films they've referenced. Then if they like your pitch, they'll request your script.
Roger Zipp:
You are most welcome. The Guru is here to help and eventually start a cult of mad screenwriters up in Northern California. Good luck with Amazon. A lot of writers waiting but they're still not signing many deals with newer or unproduced writers, if any. However, it's always worth a shot.
Sorry Guru we already got that cult out there just west of Sweethome by the 100 acre pot farm.
Doug me lad, my people are in talks with their people as we speak. Really, as we speak. As Hyman Roth said, "We're bigger than US Steel!" Of course with the steel industry being in the crapper... you know.
You all who are holding your breaths waiting for Amazon should probably exhale. But you still have to love what Amazon, Netflix, Youtube, Apple and the big Chinese companies are doing.
At the end of the day, they are giving everyone in the entertainment industry more opportunities, and that's as good as it gets - and even if more competition eventually ends up driving down average salaries, which it eventually may. It's still more people working.
I had to go back and read all the comments! My opinion changed!
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Bill C:
You're Irish right? Costantini, that's a good Irish name. Anyway, I found a four-leaf clover. A four-leaf clover bro! That's four leaves on a clover. On each leaf there was a word written, albeit a tiny word. The four words together going clockwise said "Unicorns actually do exist." I took that as a sign. Albeit, a tiny one.
Michael Rogers:
I never do that because it aggravates me when I contradict myself.
Uncle/Zenmaster/Guru Philbert:
In Germany, we call four leaf clovers Glücksklee. We also consider little pig toys and charms good luck. They're called Glücksschwein or lucky pigs. Though you never hear anyone say "You lucky Schwein" for obvious reasons.You might find this article interesting. https://www.stuttgartcitizen.com/lifestyle/glucksbringer-good-luck-symbo...
Phil: that's funny you mentioned that today in this thread. I grow four-leaf clovers. I was tending to them this afternoon, and a package from an Amazon drone hit me in the back of the head. It happened four hours ago, which is when you posted that comment. If it would have hit the side of my head, in the temple, I probably would be dead. Hmmmm.
I don't want to assume the worst, but just to be safe, I've pointed the six-foot Italian Horn in my yard directly towards your house. I could handle a whack to the head, but calling me Irish? Bestemmia! Bestemmia! (Just kidding in case any Irish Hardchaws are reading this.)
Bill C
Prudent.
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I just uploaded my script onto InkTip to see how that goes. It's still in "deciding" at AS at day 135.
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Matthew: Good luck.
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Matthew, if it's still in deciding this long after, you might want to contact them. Because that's a good long while. Sometimes people get distracted. It might be okay to nudge. Or leave it a bit longer and then nudge. I could be wrong on this, but if it's been there for that long, it might be worth it to check. Or have they taken one after that long? IDK.
Trust me Shara, contacting is a waste of time. They just give the same old lines everytime.
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Neil Gaiman said, “Remember: when people tell you something’s wrong or doesn’t work for them, they are almost always right. When they tell you exactly what they think is wrong and how to fix it, they are almost always wrong.”
There may be trolls and negativity, but sometimes it's not. Labeling someone who does not resonate with a work is not always a good approach to accepting criticism. I know a peer who reviews on Amazon. She is a square shooter who praises and knocks as needed.
Peer-related reviews are a miasma that lead to discounting harsh criticism out-of-hand. This is a hard lesson learned which led to the purity of paying readers who work for studios and competitions. The most effective method is to buy a three pack split between male and female readers. It's the best $300 - $350 a serious screenwriter can spend to improve their craft. Even $100 for one read is a positive step. The next step is analysis. Dave Trottier, Linda Seger and Michael Hague offer these services - if one can manage between $500 and $1500. But oh what you will learn.
Harsh criticism, even from trolls, should carry a thanks for the time someone took to look at your work and leave it at that, perhaps with a grain of salt. Bantering with a negative reviewer sends the writer into an abyss.
Peers are just that. One learns best from someone more advanced.
So I said screw it, and contacted them. The person I chatted with said in the deciding phase the script would be passed around directors, writers etc to see what they think of it. They have been taking up to 180 days or even more and she said that scripts can sit in deciding mode that whole time nearly. Its nice to know my work is being read. They said if after 180 days there's no answer they can put a request through for a direct update.
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I submitted a pilot back in mid-September. It went from evaluating to deciding around February 13th and is still in deciding mode with two downloads. Around day 180, I contacted support and asked for an update and was told that my script would be ticketed. Eight days ago, I asked again and was told that the representative would loop in his boss. I then asked yesterday (I subscribe to the squeaky wheel method) and was told again that it would be sent up once more. So, unfortunately, asking for a direct update hasn't seemed to work.
Honestly, part of me just feels like deleting the project from Amazon at this point. I can't help but think of the three fates, and how each new day is simply another inch Lachesis gives before Atropos inevitably sends it to the cutting room floor.
That said, I'm still crossing my fingers for everyone!
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Anna:
You might as well leave it up, unless you have another interested party. I have two scripts up right now but I also have four other producers reading them. You're under no obligation to anyone unless they're offering to option. Just don't hang your hat on Amazon because as I've stated several times in this thread and others, I know of nobody here at S32 or my other social networking spots who has signed a deal with them.
I have the same script on Inktip, Script Revolution and have had it read by a few people. Eggs should not be in the same basket.
Question: do you guys pay to post on Inktip? I saw that they charge $40 per logline, which immediately raised my hackles. I understand readers need some kind of incentive, but it still seems vaguely scammy to me.
As for Amazon, trust me, I know it will be rejected. I know this. I have banged my head against the wall with this. And yet, I hope against the inevitable. I don't know how Michelle from above has survived nine months. Anyway, thanks for all your posts. They've been really helpful.
Anna:
I have worked Inktip in unconventional ways and it's been well worth paying to keep the newsletter. I've secured a number of option and right-to-shop agreements with them. See notice on Inkip dated March 13, 2018 and February 13, 2018 for two since January. https://www.inktip.com/main_total_deals_closed.php
Thanks for posting your good experiences; I'll definitely try it out now that I know it can lead to things.
Anna H:
You're are most welcome and let me know if you have any questions. I'd be delighted to assist.
So, part of the reason I posted here was with the incredibly scientific theory that it would magically hasten my inevitable rejection because I would now feel obligated to post about said rejection. This theory sort of came through this morning. I had submitted an updated version of my pilot--essentially the same, save for one minor character arc--and submitted it a good five weeks after the original. That updated script just got rejected after evaluating and jumping straight to complete after 165 days.
On the one hand, it's a good feeling to finally have some closure. On the other, it makes me even more annoyed that my original script is still in Deciding after over 200 days, especially considering I've harassed AS multiple times about a decision. If the better version of the script was rejected, this one has no chance, so I don't get what the hold up is.
I am at 275 days and counting in the 'deciding' category. Yep. 9 months. in private. 2 downloads in the first 2 days and not a peep since. What the hell does that even mean?
275 days? Okay, you win.
And still counting. Awesome. It’s nice to know something will come out of this. I’m the first place loser. Lol. Like others I have pressed AS but they just cut you off with their cookie cutter reply. It’s boring now. Just dull. But it cost nothing to play their game.
@Michael - That is crazy! Have you tried contacting them? (Edit: Sorry--I hadn't refreshed the page when you posted your reply above!)
In response to Dan, I understand this is free and I am grateful. But I do think it is fair to ask Amazon Studios at least to try to follow their timeline. I volunteer at a soup kitchen that opens at seven. If it were suddenly to open at random times despite its official 7am opening, I would understand if people were upset. If you cannot operate a program, don't offer it.
by way of an early attempt to talk to AS, I was told that the 90 day policy was no longer practiced. The website was out of date. Because of volume they now have a 120 day policy. And yet, how long would it take to update that on their site? Seconds? Maybe a full minute?
A little more than 200 days ago, my LinkedIn profile started attracting some curious visitors. Could be coincidence. I do get a spackle of attention once in awhile but this was a sudden burst of some high profilers. Paramount Pictures. HBO. Warner Bros Television. It was curious. But nothing became of it.
I can't help but wonder, per a previous reply, if anyone is really at the wheel at AS. It only takes a minute to say no. Why drag it out? Or, at least, keep me in the loop. Maybe their policies require a close to the vest approach but at least say as much as that.
Still, it’s ok. No bigs. I got other scripts to work with, other deadlines. I’m sure they will pass in their own good time. Life moves on
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Michael, you’ve got my 235 days beat. Mine is also set to private with the same number of DLs. I think mine moved into deciding just a couple months ago.
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crazy, right. The difference between mine and others, aside from yours, is that others have so many more DLs (private).
I only have two. And they happened almost at once, one right after the other. And then right to stage 4 (deciding) and nothing since for nearing a year.
I had another that was dumped at 185 days. That one was really good. I had high hopes. It was a period piece and it seems Amazon jumps at a good period piece. But then they just dropped the Zelda Fitzgerald series.
So, I dunno. I'm just waiting for the email that sends me away. I'm sure it will come along soon. And i bet soon after, someone will even break my record. It just seems they aren't really working this approach anymore. And that's fine. Just wish they would update their site and suggest as much.
I was having the same issue. I have a script with Amazon on 'deciding' for the last 60 days with 3 downloads. I googled to see if this was common and came across this thread. I even set up this account on stage32 just to say this: Let go. I see people getting excited, wondering where their reply is, and e-mailing Amazon. What will be, will be. It is out of your hands. Getting worked up over it won't change anything. Just be calm, and accept what will be, will be. Just let go.
Found this on the AS site today when i went to check on my status..."As we have grown and evolved over the last several years, we are making changes to our website and closing our open call for script and concept submissions. As of April 13, 2018, we are no longer accepting submissions. Submissions received will continue to be reviewed and evaluated by Amazon Studios and will be available on our website until June 30, 2018. Thank you all for your contributions."
Still in deciding mode for me at 280 days. I guess they will send the rejection on June 30, lol.
Thats exactly what I thought. June 30 is the death date for everyone's script.
Yep. Looks like I might have a chance at the longest rejection. I guess if a trophy is to be had here, I’ll take it
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Rejection is a big part of the process. A project concept I put together just "a pass" from Terrence Winter this week. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1010540/?ref_=tt_ov_wr
However, I was happy just to get up to bat. Onward and upward lads! Keep trying until you succeed.
No more submissions.... and after being in “deciding” mode for a few months (on the site since August 2017) it looks like the wait will be over soon.
Just got this emai’from Amazon:Amazon Studios Website Updates:
Hi Heidi,
As we have grown and evolved over the last several years, we are making changes to our website and closing our open call for script and concept submissions. As of April 13, 2018, we are no longer accepting submissions. Submissions received will continue to be reviewed and evaluated by Amazon Studios and will be available on our website until June 30, 2018. Thank you all for your contributions.
Amazon Studios Team
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the open call for submissions ending?
At Amazon we are always reinventing ourselves and looking for ways to become even more efficient and while we will no longer accept new submissions, there are other options.
Submit videos and scripts to film festivals at Withoutabox.com
Sign up at IMDbPro to connect and share your work with other professionals
Publish your videos at Prime Video Direct
I have a script, mini-bible, or video that I was not able to submit, what are my next steps?
While we will no longer accept new submissions, there are other options.
Submit videos and scripts to film festivals at Withoutabox.com
Sign up at IMDbPro to connect and share your work with other professionals
Publish your videos at Prime Video Direct
What happens to the scripts, mini-bibles, or videos I have submitted?
We will evaluate and respond to all submissions. All submissions on your profile will be available for viewing, rating, or downloading until June 30, 2018.
What happens after June 30, 2018?
Submissions will no longer be available for viewing, rating, or downloading after June 30, 2018.
What will happen to Storybuilder?
Storybuilder is still available for customers.
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Storywriter is still available to customers in web browser, but will no longer accept script submissions.
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Amazon is making a major shift toward big budget movies and is dropping the Indie, low budget segment. I uploaded my first script on their site early this month, got 3 private downloads and my spec was currently under evaluation. I guess they will send a nice "thanks but no thanks" email to all the scripts that are still in their evaluation or deciding cycle since they're shutting down this part of their business. Anyway looking at the thread launched by Matthew (thanks bud!), it seems nothing really came out of AS except for the famous spec The Wall which was a very good script but made very little at the box office. Looking closer at it, AS movies got poor results overall. I guess ""Gringo" which also bombed was the final straw.
I got into AS screenplay just last year and submitted two scripts. All passed through the stages with my hopes high but fell when it couldn't get to development stage. I was told by AS that if i make significant revision i can send it to them. It didn't know what to do about the work anymore.
Yesterday morning i was about to send another script only to see they are no more accepting open call for submission. Damn, i missed the boat. No notification or deadline but sudden strike. At least the end of the month could have been a deadline for open call.
How Amazon could not get any movie script to make more than $100mil at the box office is beyond me when they had over 10,000 movie scripts across the globe. Less than hundred scripts made it and only God knows the number of professional writers whose works couldn't get a nod.
There were a lot of amateur writers who couldn't have assemble words well enough to describe scenes but i think there should have been a lot of skype communications between the writer and the reviewers if the understanding of a script wasn't clear.
IMO, open call should have been maintained but ask for appealing scripts at the cost of a low budget movie. One day, a great reviewer would see a great movies from amateur scripts.
The other problem with this kind of open submission policy is that at least 90% of the scripts that get in are bad so they may be getting tired of searching for that gem. As to box office and how scripts are selected I'll never stop wondering how studios can buy and greenlight stupid reboots like Ben Hur, Point Break or The Thing, just to name a few that all bombed with budget in the range of 9 figures while they could give new writers with great ideas a break...
@Alain Soussokho i don't agree that 90% are bad. I just got to know of InkTip and The Black List which are paid sites for screenwriters, and they've made a lot of successful movies out of the scripts. I'm sure some of rejectees from AS made it in those places.
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Hello @Hanson-Howard John,
You wrote: "There were a lot of amateur writers who couldn't have assemble words well enough to describe scenes but i think there should have been a lot of skype communications between the writer and the reviewers if the understanding of a script wasn't clear."
Unfortunately, that's not how the industry works. It's up to the writer, and only the writer, to make sure the script is clear.
Agree with Dan. Maybe I missed something but haven't heard/read about major amateur writers breakthrough thanks to the BL website. Besides the site's also swamped with scripts and you don't actually know who are the readers from my experience it's an even bigger gamble than AS was. As for Inktip, when you look at their script requests it's between micro to very low budget mainly straight to vod or cable stuff. Yes they do boast lots of options but you can option a script for 500 bucks. The problem with Inktip is that it's full of would be producers who don't have the money nor the connections to make things happen. We've all been through the Inktip/BL/Roadmapwriters etc. route and it's a very long shot man. the best for me are still contests, it's hard , a bit of a lottery too but that's how I got a manager.
AS couldnt keep up with the number of scripts that were piling up. It simply couldn't be sustained. Add on top of that the idea that they should also call each and every writer to openly discuss, skype about the clarity of plot or character. No studio would ever do that, could ever do that. This is a yes or no industry, with no largely prevailing. Take it or leave it.
Well, maybe the whole thing was some crackpot plan that didnt pan out but I still get some curious visits from some interesting lookie-lous as a result. From this week on LinkedIn alone. Not that i expect much, but it does suggest that the AS approach can generate some interest. Walt Disney. Paramount and Discovery. Well, not bad.
Dan MaxXx i've not seen all the movies that has been produced but with the little that i came i came across, Love 4 Rent was distributed by HBO Home videos and Reality of Love distributed by ABC. I believe there could be a lot.
I'm not a producer or a director but preparing to be and be able to make a good story out of a bad script one day. Currently i look at some movies that bombed at the box office and see what could have been done to make it better.
Michael Sieve That's amazing! I've gotten a couple of views from people at Amazon Studios, which has only added to my mile long list of woes since my submission is essentially a dead script walking. I wonder if they will keep sending out decisions or just wait until the June 30th doomsday.
Since this thread is likely ending soon, I thought I would ask: Has anyone from above heard anything, or has it been purgatory for all? I remember Michelle had been in limbo for like nine months and that was weeks ago. Are most of the submissions from this group pilots or features? Lastly, do any of you know anything about "Amazon Preview?" My last customer service email from Amazon had it listed in the re and it appears to be a small focus group that judges pilots, storyboards, and concepts.
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Anna Hochheim my script is a feature that's been on there for 161 days now with 95% of that time in deciding. I'd be amazed if one single person gets picked up but, you never know. I've put my script on InkTip and in the last few days have had my script downloaded by 3 different production companies and have had it requested through Script Revolution from another producer. I'll just keep writing and not putting all my eggs in one basket and I'd suggest everyone else do the same.
As for Amazon Preview, I'd never heard of it before but it sounds very interesting. I'm wondering if it is for viewing of actual produced content or if they're presenting people with storyboards and concepts only. I haven't received the email but it's not a bad idea they're doing that. It sounds like an online focus group basically.
Update. I spoke to a rep via chat. June 30 is the answer day. You will have an answer one way or another by then if you have a script uploaded.
Matthew Corry Is InkTip deal for scripts good? How much do you think a script can sell there?
I submitted my script July 3, 2017. Still ‘deciding’. So I guess I will miss that one year mark by just a few days.
No idea yet if InkTip is any good yet Hanson-Howard. I've had about 5 downloads of the script in the last week and a bit so time will tell.
Hope never quits. Good luck!
Anyone who was still in Deciding or Evaluating got any answer yet? I'm still waiting.
Im well past 300 days. By time AS shuts down at the end of June, i will be at 362 days. Still deciding. Expecting the 'no' to come thru on June 30, per their own admission. lets just kindly accept that this game is quite over
Those on the deciding stage, today is the last day. Any good news so far?
FYI. On Inktip, I have had scripts downloaded this year (from March). Heard nothing yet.
Didn't someone get $250,000 at one stage? I came in after all the money was handed out like candy.
THREE days short of a full year in Stage 4 'deciding'. Last nite the page is suddenly 'unavailable'. Seems like Amazon is not very good at breaking up. I mean, why not just send notice that it is rejected? Why hold on to this stage 4 for 362 days?
I submitted 7 scripts. 3 rejected within 72 hours. 2 rejected within 90 days. i rejected at 185 days. And then this one straggler that almost made it a year. Clearly they abandoned this effort sometime last summer.
Of all the movies that came their way, they couldn't notice better ones. Or may be the cash got finished along the line of producing crappy movies?
The rejection emails haven't come automatically so I guess it wasn't just a "clean sweep". We're not behind their doors, we have zero idea how they work and to be honest, I think that unknowns are going to take a major backseat to people who have a history of produced work behind them. At the end of the day, I know my script is with them, I'll follow up sometime down the track unless I get an email or surprise call in the meantime. Just keep writing, that's about all you can do.
I submitted to an agency in L.A. and got the rejection of another writer's submission instead. =) I found the other writer on FB and asked if he wanted it. File 13.
At least they are doing better at giving scripts a chance. First time I submitted to them it was less than two hours and got a generic rejection. That doesn't build up lots of confidence in their process.
When they rejected them that fast there was usually an issue with basics like page count. I'm still waiting and today is the start of week 34.
I was really disappointed when Amazon stopped accepting submissions. Even worse they didn't do anything with it. I think only one project got greenlit. They seemed more content spending a billion to work on their LotR prequel ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
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Dan M, during the 70's, screenwriters had a nice little cottage industry going just writing for options. Option two/three scripts a year at $5K - $10K (pretty good money in those days). Then re-up those same scripts the next year while writing the current year's crop. Few if any of them went to production, but it wasn't a bad business. Times have changed.
Doug Nelson, in that case the screenwriters were in some ways restrained by their conscience from starting their production companies and the existing production companies maintained a small number whiles bringing out few movies in a month which made them a lot of monies.
I emailed them to see if they have any idea of a time frame. Nope.
Has anyone heard yeah or hey from Amazon? I had a rep tell me I would know when it was pulled after it was in the decide phase and downloaded quite a few times but now it's been 2 months and nothing. I know it's time to let the dream die, was just curious if anyone heard anything at all.
Juan Gonzalez Amazon Studios is now completely closed to submissions. I wouldn't bet on ever hearing from them unless you have submitted through an agent and have heard from them recently. Sorry bout that. I was pissed too. But so it goes.
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Nope. They're shut down for unsolicited material.
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I received a final rejection. 380+ days after my submission. They closed submissions on June 30. I finally got a kindly email on July 22. So yeh. Don’t expect a thing from here on out. The Amazon dream is happily dead.
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Michael Sieve, I think mine was on there about a month less than yours was. They never sent me an email, not expecting one. What a long strange trip it was.
Day 312. Nothing.
Man, this brings back old times. Let's see. mumblemumblemumble, carry the 2, mumblemumblemumble....437 days since they acknowledged receiving my script and still no "not for us" email. They either forgot, it got lost in the shuffle, or they've given the job of reading the remaining scripts to some poor schmuck working the mailroom, just so they can say "we've read everything". In any event, I've made my peace a long time ago that it's dead in the water.
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The king is dead Dan; long live the king. (or new boss... same as the ol' boss)
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I was gonna joke about whether the Queen was a guy or girl... as these days, ya never know (he typed in jest). But you pointed out "female"... so, so much for that one.
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I didn't realize you were forced to participate in a thread.
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AS should have gotten clear visions of some of the scripts and they could have become a big studio.
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I've been following this thread. I learned a lot. Thanks
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A. S. Templeton
I suggest archiving it. Locking it. Deleting it.
It's deader than dead. It was AS getting a completely free "big data" database -